Fujifilm X100S Review

When Fujifilm announced its FinePix X100 retro-styled compact at Photokina 2010, it instantly captured the imagination of serious photographers. With its fixed 23mm F2 lens and SLR-sized APS-C sensor, it offered outstanding image quality, while its 'traditional' dial-based handling and innovative optical/electronic 'hybrid' viewfinder gave a shooting experience reminiscent of rangefinder cameras. On launch its firmware was riddled with frustrating bugs and quirks, but a series of updates transformed it into a serious photographic tool. Certain flaws remained, apparently too deeply embedded into the hardware to be fixable, but despite this, it counts as something of a cult classic.

The X100S sees Fujifilm revisiting the concept, but while the external design is essentially unchanged, it's a very different camera inside. It uses a 16.3MP X-Trans CMOS sensor similar to that seen in the interchangeable lens X-Pro1 and X-E1 models, but now with on-chip phase detection promising much-improved autofocus speed. This is supported by a new processor, the 'EXR Processor II', which includes a new 'Lens Modulation Optimizer' function. According to Fujifilm this 'overcomes' lens aberrations such as diffraction and peripheral aberrations, and should give improved image quality at the largest and smallest apertures. The electronic viewfinder has been upgraded to a higher-resolution 2.35M dot display (from 1.44M dot); however this isn't the OLED unit used in the X-E1, but an LCD instead.

Two additional manual focus aids are available when using the EVF or LCD - a focus 'peaking' display that outlines in-focus elements, and an all-new 'Digital Split Image focusing' display that uses phase detection data from the sensor, and is designed to offer a similar experience to manual focus film cameras. In addition, the movement sensor on the manual focus ring has been upgraded to detect movement with greater precision - which Fujifilm says will make it more responsive.

The user interface gains all the improvements Fujifilm has made in its X-series cameras over the past few years, including an onscreen 'Q' menu to access major settings, and a much-improved tabbed menu system.

Aside from these headline features, Fujifilm is promising a whole host of smaller tweaks and improvements covering every aspect of the camera's design and operation - no fewer than 70 in total. Many of these address bugs and quirks highlighted by users and reviewers, demonstrating once again Fujifilm's laudable desire to listen to feedback and learn from it. Some controls have been subtly tweaked, movie mode is much improved, and small but important operability issues have been addressed.

Side-by-side with the Fujifilm X20

Here's the X100S side-by-side with the X20 that Fujifilm announced at the same time (we reviewed it earlier this year). The two cameras are very different beasts, of course, but share a lot of common features, and the family resemblance is obvious.

Here's the X100S alongside the co-announced X20 zoom compact. Both cameras feature X-Trans CMOS sensors with on-chip phase detection AF, optical viewfinders with detailed information overlays, and lots of external controls. Their on-screen user interfaces and menu systems are very similar too. The big difference is that the X20's fast (F2-2.8) 28-112mm equivalent zoom is coupled to a much smaller, 2/3"-type sensor.

Compared to Sony Cyber-shot RX1R

The X100S's most natural peer (forgetting the massive price difference) is Sony's RX1R, which offers a full-frame 24MP CMOS sensor and a similar 35mm (equivalent) F2 lens as the X100S.

The X100S is slightly taller and wider, but on the plus side, it has a better-defined grip, and of course that unique Fujifilm built-in hybrid viewfinder. Given that the RX1R is packing a full-frame sensor inside it though, the Cyber-shot is impressively compact.

From behind, its the X100S's viewfinder that represents the main difference between the two cameras. The rear control cluster on both models is pretty standard, but the RX1R does have a larger display (which partly makes up for the lack of a finder).

From the top, it is very obvious just how big the RX1R's lens is compared to the almost pancake design of the Fujifilm's 23mm F2. Both cameras have manual aperture rings, and external exposure compensation dials, but the X100S also offers a manual shutter speed dial. The RX1R features an exposure mode dial, in the same position.

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Comments

Does everyone that buys a fixed lens camera like this primarily focus on street shooting? I don't fill my hard drive with pictures of strangers I spied, so I just can't see how to be happy without UWA, portrait, and and a little reach.

Not everyone does street shooting, but a fixed 35mm lens can be used for a lot of things in addition to street shooting. I guess I'd personally find it limiting, but if I used it for a while, I'm sure I'd get used to it and work with what 35mm gives me.

On another note, if you post a message and don't see it immediately, but there's no obvious error or failure, it's a good idea to wait a few minutes just in case the server on the other end is just being slow. And it's perhaps a good idea for the server to warn ("are you sure?" kind of thing) when suspected duplicates are detected.

I sold all of my dslr kit to buy this beauty of a camera. I have had it little over a week so in reality I am only just beginning learning how to use it. So far, all I can say is one hell of a WOW!!! This camera really delivers. No more changing lenses and big camera bag. I have this gem of a camera that more than replaces my old kit. Even though it has the restraint of being a fixed lens, I feel that my creative side kicks in every time I click the shutter. Looking forward to a long and happy relationship with my Fuji X100s.

I use a 35mm f1.8 lens on my Sony A55 quite often when I want to challenge myself. I don't see any real purpose to spending so much on this camera when a mirrorless camera can give you very similar performance at lesser price and in a smaller package (yes many mirrorless cameras are smaller than the Fuji). In fact the Fuji XE-1 with 35mm f1.4 costs a little more and is far more versatile as I can use others lenses when I want to.

An old friend who is the head of photography at a very large international NGO (they shoot Canon, mainly) bought the earlier version as it seemed to "tick all the boxes" (ugh) for a lightweight camera to issue for non-critical assignments. It didn't take them long to realise the camera was over-hyped and generally unsatisfactory on many counts. Now there's an "improved" version. We just keep falling for the same old marketing swindles.

In a nut shell us users of the X100 had a long list of things we would like to fix regarding the camera. The X100s quite literally addressed them all. And even now with the X100s the small issues we have with this camera are already being addressed with firmware updates. Believe the hype about this camera it is a cracker. When you have one in your hand all you want to do is just hit the road and take pictures.

Having started photography in the early 70s with a Canonet QL17 40mm fixed lens rangefinder camera, this camera evokes a lot of fond memories. It really look like the QL17 except that it has a 35mm equivalent f/2.0 fixed lens. History is trying to repeat itself.

Shooting with a fixed 35mm lens camera has some advantages. It simplify the shooting process. One just zoom with the feet. Its a good way to master photography - master the focal length, in this case the 35mm angle of view. One has to learn how to maximise the capability of the camera and concentrate on composition and exposure.

No, this is not an expensive instamatic. Far from it. A modern point and shoot camera is. The aperture priority is real so is shutter priority and manual exposure. One can use them to their best effect.

35mm is adequate for most shooting although some prefer 28mm. One would be surprise it is excellent for a lot of landscape photos too. A good general purpose camera.

35mm (equivalent) is a very useful focal length to have. It is almost equivalent to the human eye when looking at a direction. 28mm is when one is looking with both eyes. Some prefer 28mm for enviromental portraits where the surrounding tells a story or for group photos.

For that reason, I prefer shooting with my Canon 5D MkII with the Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 lens most of the time, ocassionally using my 24mm f/1.4L MkII when I need a wider view and the Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Macro for closeups.

Actually your newbie comment doesn't ever deserve a response, but you do know that legendary photographers like Henri Cartier Bresson, shot with large aperture prime lenses similar to the 35mm f/2 on the X100s? And no Bresson didn't use an Instamatic.

The Fuji x100s is the best camera for a photographer to start a career and for a professional photographer to query his visual language. Maybe it's also the best tool to end up a professional career: 'back to basics' is guaranteed.The fuji x100s is my best investment ever. I can furnish my blog daily with images, which could have never been produced without this camera. It's also a way of making professional pictures, without being considered as a pro...

Based on the "Noise and Noise Reduction" chart, the X100S has significantly better high iso noise than the Nikon D4, Canon 5dm3, and other full frames. I find that a bit hard to believe. Am I missing something?

"Per pixel" noise measurements always give benefit to lower pixel count bodies in their comparison tool, but are not representative for "per image" comparisons. Which you can do yourself.

And second, the demosaïcing process of X-trans files seems to add quite a bit of smoothing and filtering too, which makes them look more like processed in camera jpegs, than converted RAW files, even with all NR set to zero.

@ I_d_allan: I too felt that at higher ISO the X100s giving better images than the D4, the D4 images becoming somewhat more warm in nature where the X retains the colors well. But its hard to believe still unless you have shot with both. Its truly difficult to believe.

@jacketpotatoThat is a bit too drastic when it comes to the X100S! These tests often don't take the T-Stop of the lens into account. But in direct comparison to the X100 (perfectly comparable due to exactly the same lens with the same T-Stop) I'd give the X100S 1/2-Stop too optimistic ISO value.

I allowed myself 3 month with my X100S to review it against my X100 and pretty much came to the same conclusion and list of benefits on the X100S.

I did not even touch video on either one, though. But thanks for the reminder that this feature is somewhere hidden in there ;-)

Here is my X100 vs. X100S - 'was it worth the upgrade?' review:

www.FujiXfiles.com

In direct comparison between the X100 and the X100S I saw about a 1/2 stop difference in ISO sensitivity between the two. The X100S beeing about 1/2 stop less sensitive at similar aperture and shutter time.

I wonder if Fuji has ever said anything about the phase detection AF and if it can still be improved to lock in more situations in future FW updateds? That would be a nice extra goody to look forward to :)

I am proud owner of Fujifilm X100, and I am using it since last two years, I have a had privilege to use X100S for 15 days, and I really love this new X100S, I now do not like old X100.

I have gone through with your review two times now and I am fully convinced, this is great review, it is deep review! Now I would like to let you know guys that, I am interested to use X100S' video function, I really like videos created by X100S, yes of course we can not have videos like Panasonic GH2 (I own Panasonic GH2), but for me I found videos are not bad, it really produce decent videos. I made some videos by using Fujifilm X100S, if you get time see my videos, here are links:

Hi! Greetings! This is Kaushik Parmar from Ahmedabad (India). I am regular visitor of DPReview. I am a huge fan of Fujifilm and I was waiting for your review on X100S, and finally I fond it today, so much exited! And I am glad you guys give "Gold Award" and X100S deserve it, well done Fujiflm!

I really enjoyed this extensive review, so much hard work you guys have done and full marks to all if you guys, keep it up!

It's not as simple as just weighing the number of cons against the number of pros. One has to consider the consequences of each pro and con with respect to one's own photographic needs. Obviously, the reviewer thinks that those 13 pros far outweigh the 17 cons.

You shouldn't judge a camera just by looking at the last page of the review and counting the pro's and con's and the points on the list have different weights. For me an 'excellent image quality' is a much more appreciate PRO than a 'fiddly button' CON.... and frankly most of the CONs are things that could have been done better, but that have much less impact on the user than the PROs. Know what I mean?

The shadow dynamic range issue is really very disturbing. I've stuck to film cameras all these years, until recently, because of DR issues.

For example, I frequently under-expose faces, in strongly backllit conditions, for the sake of atmosphere, and I need as much shadow DR as I do highlight DR as I can get (particularly for the sake of eyes). That, skin tones, + OOC JPG quality are what had me finally move away from film. I would have immediately pre-purchased the X-Pro 2, except for this review. I'm astonished that fuji have seen fit to reduce DR they are famous for.

Fuji see this as improving shadows, but I don't buy that. It's a loss of irretrievable detail and capability. Consumer vs Enthusiast/semi-pro.

In the X-Pro review, putting shadows to -2 extended the shadow DR even more but isn't shown here. The fact that the X100s has the same settings doesn't mean that we can resurrect the shadow DR capabilities of the previous cameras. If we can then I can put aside my concern.

Not according to this review. Look at the graph. It's the same as any other APS-C. And compare to the X-Pro 1 with Shadow at -2 in its review; which, as you say, is miraculous. That isn't tried here, so we don't know.

Are you talking of RAW? RAW is something I wish to avoid if at all possible. The case for RAW in these cameras, even for the X-pro 1, is not straightforward.

You might try shooting RAW and post processing your high-contrast images for that missing shadow detail you allude to instead of basing your entire experience of DR on an online review, graphs, and sample photos. While the X- series cameras offer some of the best DR available, NO camera can be relied on to give you infinite detail in both dark and white with OOC JPGs.

I am using the X100s, and there are some more really advantageous Pros worth considering. 1. The X100s can shoot at an insane flash-sync speed. Can even shoot at 1/4000 shutter speed. Capturing stage with fast moving subject is no problem with this device. 2. Has a built-in ND filter allowing you to keep your aperture wide open even in broad daylight to create amusingly shallow DOF

3. This machine can click making almost no-sound. Very suitable for capturing theatre/ Concerts and Street

I have used the X100 for the last two years mostly for B&W. I have since 3 monthes the X100s and I am very pleased with the X-Trans sensor, the results in B&W (raw + LR4) are quite outstanding . The X100s for B&W photographers is clearly a "monochrome" camera alternative !

"Auto ISO is available when using manual exposure, but disappointingly it doesn't respect the exposure compensation setting in this mode, which reduces its usefulness...........(Pentax Ricoh is the only company to explicitly offer such a Shutter + Aperture priority mode)"

This may be strictly true but the reality is that other manufacturers offer the same functionality in manual mode - they don't give it a separate mode with its own place on the mode dial, but you can do the very same thing. I have an RX1 and a Nikon Coolpix A that both have that functionality incorporated into the M mode (the Nikon has the most overall useful auto-ISO setup I've ever used).

But the basic point is right that Fuji falls down (hard!) by omitting this function. And a top minimum shutter speed of 1/125 is better than not being able to set it, but just barely. Ricoh's 1/250 and Nikon's 1/1000 are both far more useful...

Can DPR do a formal comparison between ACR and Iridient on X-Trans. ACR does not seem to do Xtrans justice, no matter your sharpneing work flow. This is especially try for foliage and low contrast details.

See example here:http://www.thevisualexperience.org/web/processing-x100s-raw-with-iridient-developer-part-2/

Great review, thanks!However, in your summary pro / con listing I would like to have seen some of the pro's associated with the leaf shutter included (you've identified a couple of con's!).It's silent (something you commented on in the body of the review) and the ability to sync flash at all available speeds. The latter is a wonderful feature and really helps in strongly backlight situations.For me the shutter is worth the gold award on its own!Cheers, Jeff

This is an excellent camera. I'd disagree with the ergonomics being better than the Ricoh GR. The Fuji Jpegs are over smeared but the RAWs are great. The general handling of light is the best I've seen from any lens.And update and comparative review of the Xpro1 would be good, given Fujis stand that it won't be updated this year.

If you can go without retro styling, cool viewfinder, extra dials and buttons maybe grab a $1,000 cheaper EOS M with 22mm F2 lens. You get a fun touchscreen, much better detail, smaller size for pockets.

Well there is a good chance people looking at this camera are looking for a compact APS-C sensor cam with very good image quality with a small 35mm lens. If that is the main concern then its a no brainer to get one that is more compact with better image quality and 4x less expensive. If main concern is dials, viewfinder, styling, then it is a mute point. Makes sense?

Right, no sense. Same as $299 EOS M having more detail at 3200 sensitivity than $1,299 X100S at 1600 doesn't make sense.

Yet X100S will sell well and be applauded for high ISO ability.

Prices charged for cameras, prices people will pay, what is most important in a camera for people all does not make sense.

You can hardly see the dot for the i in Paul Smith at ISO 800 with the X100S where you can in 4 year old APS-C cameras at 1600 or 3200. Same sensitivity the girl's face shows poor detail with edge enhancement and noise reduction - both JPEG and RAW.

Sorry but these comparisons do not use a better raw converter for xtrans like capture one or iridient but adobe which is know to still smear out detail. So yes, I you must use Lightroom/ace I can see your point.

You can do that homework- Capture One 7 is free for 60 days (!) and Iridient is free except is water marked. Download the raws yourself from Imaging Resource.

That said, this is just dealing with the statement you made. I will agree with you for $300 USD the EOS M is a very nice proposal. Do keep in mind the reason the EOS M is so cheap is because it's discontinued *and* a market failure. But I also agree that, that doesn't necessarily mean it's bad for someone.

Funny though you talk about a "fun touch screen" and ignore the many other advantages in usability the X100s proposess. BTW, not everyone likes touchscreen- easier to change something by accident imho- but that's all besides the point.

I looked at the Image quality compared to in Raw...Am I missing something, or are all the samples from the FujiX100s super soft in all ISO's by comparison to the Ricoh GR and the Coolpix A?Please somebody compare the different cameras in Raw and tell my that I am mistaken, because even the Fuji X100 is muuuuch sharper.

Adobe's X-Trans conversion straight out of the box leaves a lot to be desired, unfortunately. So it falls short in "standardized" tests. When all of the above are optimized, things line up better. As others have said, other processors (C1, Aperture, Iridient, RPP, DCRaw, etc) all get a great amount of detail out of the sensor.

Just read again the "X-Trans explained" page. X-Trans is inherently softer since it uses not 2x2 (Bayer's RGGB), but 6x6 pattern. IOW, right there you have decrease of the resolution. Some of it is recovered, but it still can't do miracles.

The difference is highly visible in pixel peeping, but IRL (in real life) it is pretty negligible.

Only if you like smeared files, lacking detail.Take a look at the Raw files from ISO 1600 up, everything is soft and smeared, by comparison to the competition. I don't get it?It is way softer than even the FujiX100.

Certainly softer than the competition and the cleanness is coming from more NR on the RAW rather than being a better sensor. Looks like the lens is not as good as it should be either when you look at low ISO shots.

could you please please Pooolllleaaaaaasse, comment on the Fuji X overstating ISO on JPEGS? I didn't see any mention of it in your review (sorry if I missed it)

There are numerous claims by very credible photographers on Dpreview forums that Fuji is overstating JPEG ISOs on their Xtrans sensors (i.e. the camera tells you it's ISO6400 where it's really more like ISO4000 on other cameras for instance)

Unfortunately no credible reviewers (such as yourself) ever comment on this as far as I know.

Fortunately, I feed only on bile. But credit to the commenters on this review - compared to some other interactions, people are being very pleasant, and I appreciate it. I shall have to find something else to eat...

Barney, it's interesting that I did not see the very chart you are standing in front of in the Fuji X100s review.Although this chart was used in the Ricoh and Nikon test to show corner lens performance...What gives, considering that you have been using this camera almost exclusively for the past few weeks as you stated in your review?I would think that a camera that gains the Gold award, and is stated as not even needing to shoot Raw would get the same stringent testing as the other cameras in this price point...

Oh, it got very stringent testing, let me assure you... but some of the back-end work (boring stuff like coding, skinning and deployment which is much harder to do than to say) for this new studio comparison scene is still being perfected. Which is to say - we'll have the shots ready for you soon, but not yet.

Great review, thank you. I am astonished that a camera this size gives ISO performance and IQ apparently = my D4. This may be the "digital Hexar" I have been hoping for. I can't wait to check it out in person. Keep up the good work.

Sorry, I don't follow. Let's say I decide to focus on a subject (with any camera), I half-press the shutter. It focuses and confirms lock. Then I fully press to take the picture. Now when I half-press again, it's going to attempt to focus and lock again.

Yes, and it happens right after you fully press the shutter. As joejack951 said, on many cameras you don't have to release the shutter button fully. You can keep it half-pressed and press it again to prevent the camera from re-focusing.

It used to be one of the small, annoying differentiators between low and high end SLRs. These days, I only notice when a camera doesn't let you do it. But some people I'm sure will never be aware of the 'feature'. I suppose it comes down to how you use your cameras.

I found the real world shots in this review to be very helpful in giving readers an idea just what the camera can do. The original X100 was a winner but the damn blade problem was real and a downer for those who had to deal with it. I give Fuji full credit for repairing the early cameras that had the problem AND making sure newer models didn't have that issue. The X100s looks like a real winner and I would not hesitate to pick one up.

I am sure the X-E1 is a nice camera. That said, it is a different beast than the X100S. The X-E1 does not have the supernice Hybrid viewfinder with an optical view option, nor does it have the wonderful silent leaf shutter with the magically fast flash sync speeds, that with a press-of-a-button ND filter (another missing feature of the X-E1) allows you to shoot outdoor sunlit portraits and fill-flash withs packed with loads of creamy bokeh.

They're 2 separate concepts for different purposes. I'd wager that one won't be able to distinguish the X100s shots from an XE-1 with the upcoming 24mm f1.4 prime lens when Fuji releases it later this fall.

If you read this, please think about how many more additional units you would sell if you also sold a black version. Even David Hobby has gaffer-taped his silver version. Take a hint. People on all kinds of photo forums are asking for a black version. And please no silly Limited Edition version to help you sell your overpriced accessories. Just a plain black version please.